Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala, is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. It owes its origin to the Maharaja of Travencore, who was an avid hunter and nature lover. Spice gardens and plantation estates surround the Wildlife Sanctuary.

Periyar's sylvan environs offer a refuge to many mammals, reptiles and amphibians and around 320 avian species. The threatened lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur occur here, as do the Flying and Malabar Giant Squirrel. The elusive Nilgiri Tahr is also present in this park. One can watch herds of Elephants swimming in the Periyar Lake. This lake was constructed by the Britishers in the year 1895 by constructing a dam across Periyar river. Now one can see most of the wildlife around this lake by boat launches. The lake also has a sizable population of turtles like Travancore Tortoise and the Black turtle. Periyar is also home to leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes and birds. The birds include darter, cormorant, grey heron, ibis, great malabar hornbill and grey hornbill, kingfishers, ospreys and kites as well as orioles, hill mynas, racket tailed drongos, parakeets, including the unusual blue winged paraket and fly catchers. The animals are viewed from motor launches on the lake and from watch tower.

Due to the presence of large water bodies Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a bird watcher's delight. It attracts large number of birds both resident as well as migratory the reason being the presence of astonishingly vast flora.

The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen 'sholas', the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands. Periyar's rich bird life includes the Giant Hornbill, Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed Drongo. The Indian Python and King Cobra are among the reptilian fauna. Periyar has a few Nilgiri Tahr, good numbers of which may also be seen on a day excursion to nearby Eravikulam National Park near Munnar.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. You may even get a glimpse of the tiger during this season. A summer palace of the former Maharaja of Travancore, set along the lake, is a hotel and a fine place to stay.

» Best time to visit : October to April
» Accommodation : Lake palace, Spice Village, Taj Garden Retreat
» Nearest town : Kumily (4 km)
» How to get there : Rail-Kottayam (114 km), Air-Cochin (200 km) or Madurai (TN) (140 km)